Point-in-Time Recovery(PITR)

Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) enables you to restore a database to any specific moment within a recent timeframe, with millisecond precision. This feature is essential for recovering from accidental data changes, corruption, or unwanted transactions.

Understanding PITR

How PITR Works

• Continuous Protection: Automatically captures all database changes
• Precise Recovery: Restore to any moment, down to the millisecond
• Database Level: Operates on individual databases, not entire instances
• Default Enabled: Activated automatically for all databases

Recovery Window

• Standard Retention: 7 days of recovery history
• Customizable Period: Retention can be extended based on requirements
• Rolling Window: Older recovery points are automatically pruned

When to Use PITR

Common Scenarios

• Accidental Data Deletion: Recover specific rows or tables
• Faulty Updates: Revert problematic batch operations
• Schema Changes: Undo unwanted structural modifications
• Application Errors: Restore before bug-induced data corruption
• Compliance Requirements: Meet regulatory recovery standards

Advantages Over Full Backups

• Granular Recovery: Target exact moments instead of scheduled backup times
• Faster RTO: Quicker recovery for recent incidents
• Minimal Data Loss: Reduce RPO to near-zero for recent changes
• Operational Flexibility: No need to schedule special backups for changes

Performing Point-in-Time Recovery

Prerequisites

• Source database must be accessible
• Sufficient privileges for restore operations
• Target nodegroup must have adequate resources
• Clear understanding of the desired recovery point

Recovery Process

1. Identify the Target Database

   • Navigate to the "Database" tab in your Data Cloud
   • Locate the database you need to restore
   • Note the database status and current state

   

2. Initiate PITR Operation

   • Click the "Restore" button for the target database
   • Select "Point-in-Time Recovery" option

3. Configure Recovery Settings

   • Recovery Time: Select the exact timestamp for restoration
     • Use the date/time picker for precision
     • Consider transaction boundaries and application logic
   • Target Database Name: Specify the name for the restored database
   • Target Nodegroup: Choose where to perform the recovery
   • Description: Add notes about this recovery operation

   

4. Execute Recovery

   • Review all settings carefully
   • Click "OK" to start the recovery process
   • Recovery runs asynchronously in the background

5. Monitor Recovery Progress

   • Check task status on the "Backup" page
   • Monitor resource utilization on the target nodegroup
   • Recovery time depends on database size and selected time point

   

6. Verify Restored Database

   • Once complete, locate the restored database in the "Database" tab
   • Database is automatically attached to the target nodegroup
   • Validate data integrity and completeness

   

Best Practices

Planning Recovery Operations

• Document Incidents: Record exact timestamps when issues occur
• Test Recovery: Regularly test PITR procedures in non-production environments
• Coordinate Teams: Notify stakeholders before performing recovery operations
• Validate Results: Always verify data integrity after recovery

Selecting Recovery Points

• Transaction Boundaries: Choose points between transactions when possible
• Application State: Consider application logic and data consistency
• Recent Changes: Be aware of any ongoing operations at the recovery time
• Business Logic: Ensure recovery point aligns with business requirements

Post-Recovery Tasks

• Data Validation: Verify that restored data meets expectations
• Application Testing: Test critical application functions
• User Communication: Inform users about the recovery operation
• Documentation: Record the incident and recovery details

Performance Considerations

Recovery Time Factors

• Database Size: Larger databases take longer to restore
• Recovery Point: Recent points generally recover faster
• Nodegroup Resources: Adequate CPU and memory improve performance
• Network Bandwidth: Affects data transfer during recovery

Resource Planning

• Nodegroup Sizing: Ensure target nodegroup can handle the workload
• Storage Space: Verify sufficient space for the restored database
• Concurrent Operations: Consider impact on other running workloads
• Network Capacity: Plan for data transfer requirements

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Tracking Recovery Operations

• Monitor progress through the Backup page interface
• Watch nodegroup metrics during recovery
• Check system logs for any warnings or errors
• Set up alerts for long-running recovery operations

Common Issues and Solutions

• Recovery Timeout: Increase nodegroup resources or retry during low-traffic periods
• Insufficient Storage: Free up space or expand storage capacity
• Permission Errors: Verify user privileges and nodegroup access
• Timestamp Conflicts: Ensure selected time is within the retention window

Getting Support

For complex recovery scenarios or persistent issues:

• Collect recovery timestamps and database identifiers
• Document error messages and system status
• Contact Tacnode support with detailed incident information
• Provide business context and urgency level